While the Czar was discussing with this wily veteran, and a few other French statesmen of the first class, summoned at his request, the state of public opinion, and the strength of the contending parties—­the population of Paris continued lost in surprise and admiration, at the sudden march of events, the altogether unexpected amount of the troops of the Allies—­(for they that had figured in the triumphal procession were, it now appeared, from the occupation of all the environs, but a fragment of the whole)—­and above all, perhaps—­such is the theatric taste of this people—­the countless varieties of lineament and costume observable among the warlike bands lounging and parading about their streets and gardens.  The capital wore the semblance of some enormous masquerade.  Circassian noblemen in complete mail, and wild Bashkirs with bows and arrows, were there.  All ages, as well as countries, seemed to have sent their representatives to stalk as victors amidst the nation which but yesterday had claimed glory above the dreams of antiquity, and the undisputed mastery of the European world.

The council at the hotel of Talleyrand did not protract its sitting.  Alexander and Frederick William, urged by all their assessors to re-establish the House of Bourbon, still hesitated.  “It is but a few days ago,” said the Czar, “since a column of 5 or 6000 new troops suffered themselves to be cut in pieces before my eyes, when a single cry of Vive le Roi would have saved them.”  De Pradt answered, “Such things will go as long as you continue to treat with Buonaparte—­even although at this moment he has a halter round his neck.”  The Czar did not understand this last illusion; it was explained to him that the Parisians were busy in pulling down Napoleon’s statue from the top of the great pillar in the Place Vendome.  Talleyrand now suggested that the Conservative Senate should be convoked, and required to nominate a provisional government, the members of which should have power to arrange a constitution.  And to this the sovereigns assented.  Alexander signed forthwith a proclamation asserting the resolution of the Allies to “treat no more with Napoleon Buonaparte, or any of his family.”  Talleyrand had a printer in waiting, and the document was immediately published, with this significant affix, “Michaud, Printer to the King.”  If any doubt could have remained after this, it must be supposed to have ceased at nine the same evening, when the royalist gentry once more assembled, sent a second deputation to Alexander, and were (the Czar himself having retired to rest) received, and answered in these words, by his minister Nesselrode:—­“I have just left the Emperor, and it is in his name that I speak.  Return to your assembly, and announce to all the French, that, touched with the cries he has heard this morning, and the wishes since so earnestly expressed to him, his Majesty is about to restore the crown to him to whom alone it belongs.  Louis XVIII. will immediately ascend his throne.”